Sports

Xavier Coach Richard Pitino Rejects Alma Mater To Cement Job Status Amid $10 Million Speculation

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Richard Pitino / Xavier Musketeers

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The Xavier basketball team will take on Providence in Big East action on Wednesday night. Musketeers head coach Richard Pitino has become the topic of conversation ahead of a largely meaningless game.

Rumors suggest the coach is interested in leaving his post in Cincinnati for his alma mater. He took to social media to reject that notion before tipoff.

The insinuation was put out by The Field of 68 basketball account. Insider Jeff Goodman believes Pitino would bolt for Providence if given the opportunity.

His reasoning? NIL budget and personal ties.

Pitino attended and started his coaching career at the college. A move to Rhode Island would also get him closer to his father, Rick, who’s at St. John’s.

Would he make the jump? A lot would need to happen first. That starts with the firing of Kim English.

Providence basketball fans call for $10 million exit.

The Friars have not been a good team under English’s leadership. The coach is headed for a third straight season without an NCAA Tournament appearance.

In 2.5 years, he’s posted an overall record of 45-49. Many have seen enough. There’s one major obstacle standing in the way of a split.

English’s buyout is significant.

The head coach signed a contract extension after his first season. It is believed he would be owed between $9 and $11 million if fired this year (information not public).

ESPN dubbed Providence a “job that could open” soon. Here’s what the site had to say about English’s spot on the hot seat.

Kim English showed considerable promise in Year 1 (2023-24)… but he has failed to build off that first year, entering this week with a 24-35 (11-25 Big East) record over the past two seasons despite spending substantial money to build those rosters. Providence gave English a contract extension after that first season, signing him through 2029-30. He would be owed a significant amount of money if fired.

English has been given the money to succeed. He has been unable to do so. As a result, he could be gone after his third season.

Will Richard Pitino be his replacement?

The coach weighed in after seeing the recent job speculation go viral. He is not planning to leave Xavier on his own accord.

The Providence report might not be a bad thing for Pitino’s future with the Musketeers. While he’s gone just 13-14 in Year 1, the rumored interest from a league rival could be enough for Xavier to boost his NIL budget.

Pitino has shown an ability to succeed, leading New Mexico to the NCAA Tournament in each of his last two seasons. While the competition is stiffer in the Big East, most still believe he’s a top young mind in college basketball.

With more NIL money comes more opportunity to attract talent. It would give him one less reason to return to his alma mater should it offer.

With all of this being said, expect eyes to be on Richard Pitino when the Friars host the Musketeers on Wednesday. The outcome of a game between two sub-.500 schools won’t matter.

Off-court narratives will make the headlines.